Whether he minds or not, I’ve come to realize that he is used to my quirks, and he hasn’t complained once. That’s a good sign for two people who maybe could be more than just parents together.
After ruffling through another drawer in his bedroom, I decide it’s time to conquer the living room.
A quick power snack and drink and I’m unpacking a bag of gold-and-silver garland that I bought. Post-Christmas means decorations are 60% off at the store, and that’s a win. The fireplace mantel is the only spot that doesn’t require tape or me standing on a ladder.
Just as I’m making the final touches of the gold wrapped with silver on the edge of the mantel, I hear the door open, and my heart lifts. It’s excitement.
“Hey, I’m he—” Asher is still in his suit when he stops in his tracks as he enters the living room, and he stares blankly at the fireplace. “What the hell is that?”
“Ta-da.” My hands display the garland. “A little sparkle for New Year’s. It was a little dull around here, and I love New Year’s Eve. You can get mega excited because I also got hats and noisemakers.”
The way he tuts at me is far sexier than I think he intends. “Not a fan of your glittery decorations.”
I fake a frown and silently laugh as he begins to loosen his collar.
“Don’t.” It comes out a little eager from my end.
He stops before he begins to undo a button. I’m well aware that when I stride to him that my hips sway. I’m not sure he notices, as his eyes are fixed with mine. Arriving to him, I fist his shirt and step closer, causing our bodies to be flush.
“You look good in a suit.”
“And you look good with clothes on the floor.” His voice today is deeper and dripping with sin while his hands square my hips as he pulls me tighter to his body.
He’s a wall of warmth and firmness, and it feels secure and stable, and it isn’t just a physical thing.
The way his eyes dip down and focus on my mouth, it’s clear that there is a hunger in his body, and I’m what is on the menu. It’s only confirmed as he walks me backwards, with merely a deep hum leaving his lips. The entire journey to his room he keeps me captive purely with his eyes.
He’s determined to get my clothes on the floor, that’s for sure.
When the backs of my knees hit the end of the mattress, I flop down to sitting as he towers over me, and he loosens the cuffs of his sleeves. I should probably be strippingdown to the lace on my body, but my eyes are glued to him. Just because I don’t look away doesn’t mean I can’t assist with unbuckling his pants. But my hands don’t get far because as soon as they touch the buckle, Asher pushes me to my back and lies next to me on his side.
Suddenly, the passionate need seems to simmer down.
“If you dragged me here only to sleep, then I need to tell you that sleeping in your bed is literally not happening,” I quip quietly.
His long finger lands on my mouth to shush me. “Want to know something?” I nod. “You’ve invaded my thoughts. After the game when my mind should shoot all focus toward how to improve for the next game, they went straight to you. Your laugh, your beautiful smile, the way you can be unpredictable, your lips that taste of peaches, and the fact that being away from you does things to me.”
“What might that be?” I whisper against his lips, entranced because it seems that we are on the same page.
“It seems I miss you and hate that I haven’t been able to keep you in my bed every night and keep you warm. The whole flight I felt heavy, and maybe that can only be described as excitement because I want you.”
Shifting to my side, I touch his face with my hand because this moment is a big step. “I should be worried that we are only feeling this because we are blinded by a baby that binds us, but it’s not that at all, is it?”
His hand follows the curve of my body up then ends with his thumb pressing against my bottom lip. “It’s not. We seem to be right for one another. You actually make me a little less uptight, and that’s pure mystical powers that only you seem to have.”
I glance away, only for Asher to guide my chin and gaze back to him. “I’m not going to deny nor debate your observation.You and I have eased into one another, two strong-willed people, and that can backfire for some, but… I don’t think it will for us. I don’t want to ignore it.”
His face is filled with the tenacity that he is known for. “We’re not going to. I’m not sure this is us even trying to be something. We just walked right into us, and we don’t even need to try.”
I feel like I’m glowing as bliss fills my lungs. “I want this.” My conviction is strong as a vow.
“Me too.”
He brushes his lips over mine, almost shy, afraid to break a spell between us. But finally, he kisses me with firmness, unhurried.
The feeling of his palms cupping my face makes it feel as though he will hold us together and not in a physical sense. When we create space, his eyes have a gleam of affection, and gosh, I'm lucky.
Is he disapproving?
